To bring a healthy baby into the world, every expectant mother needs to undergo regular medical check-ups and some tests. While some of these tests are performed during pregnancy, others need to be done before conception to ensure a healthy pregnancy and reduce the likelihood of developing risky conditions. Therefore, especially for those planning to conceive, it is advisable to undergo some screenings about three months before conception for control purposes. Prospective mothers entering this phase should be aware of the tests conducted during pregnancy and coordinate with their doctors regarding the timing of these tests.

So, what are these tests? What are their purposes and when are they done? Let’s explore together.

What are Prenatal Tests?

Prenatal tests are divided into two stages: preconception tests and tests to be done during pregnancy.

Preconception Tests

These are the procedures that need to be performed before the baby is conceived. The results of these tests can diagnose any unknown illness in the expectant mother, allow for treatments not possible during pregnancy, and eliminate risky conditions for the baby’s health and birth. Therefore, individuals planning to have children should first undergo a medical examination by a doctor, undergo the tests deemed appropriate by the doctor, and complete any necessary treatments before pregnancy.

Tests During Pregnancy

Tests during pregnancy are screenings required to observe developments related to the baby and detect any risky situations after the fetus is visible in the womb. The results of these tests allow for the early detection of potential risks and the implementation of preventive measures. Based on these results, the delivery time can be determined more comfortably, or the pregnancy can be terminated without risking the lives of the mother and the baby.

Why are Prenatal Tests Conducted?

Your doctor will ask you to undergo certain tests before your baby is born. Often, you’ll perceive these tests as routine procedures following your doctor’s orders. But why are these tests conducted during pregnancy?

Prenatal tests and tests before pregnancy offer many benefits:

• Determining your blood type in advance,
• Assessing your immunity to certain diseases,
• Detecting anaemia and administering pre-pregnancy treatment if present,
• Identifying any hereditary illnesses in your family and taking precautions,
• Detecting and treating illnesses that cannot be treated during pregnancy,
• Eliminating factors that could pose a risk during childbirth,
• Monitoring the development of the baby in the womb,
• Detecting anomalies in the baby early and taking preventive measures,
• Determining the date of delivery,
• Deciding whether the delivery should be cesarean or vaginal.

Which Tests Should Be Done Before Pregnancy?

Some of the initial tests during pregnancy should ideally be completed before conception. However, couples often consult a doctor when they suspect pregnancy, typically when they experience a missed period, resulting in these procedures being performed during pregnancy. Therefore, these procedures are done while pregnant. Preconception tests, part of prenatal tests, should ideally be done when individuals decide to have a baby, before conception.

Preconception tests include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Urine Analysis
• Blood Group Determination
• Maternal Bleeding Profile
• Routine Biochemistry Tests
• Pelvic Ultrasonography
• Smear Test
• TORCH Test
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) Test
• Chromosomal Investigations

There’s no specific time for preconception tests. Once a decision is made to have a baby, individuals should undergo necessary examinations and tests as advised by a gynaecologist. After confirming that your body is ready for pregnancy based on the test results, pregnancy is planned. However, considering the possibility of detecting previously unknown conditions in your body, these tests should have a certain time frame. Therefore, it is more appropriate to undergo pre-pregnancy tests about three months before conception.

What Tests Should be Done During Pregnancy?

If pregnancy occurs unexpectedly, meaning preconception tests are not possible, the first tests to be performed after confirming pregnancy are preconception tests. Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that these tests are also pregnancy tests. These tests are conducted after the initial examination. In addition to preconception tests, the following tests are among those required during pregnancy:

• Hepatitis B Test
• HIV (AIDS) Test
• Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
• Nuchal Translucency (NT) Test
• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test
• Combined Screening Test
• Triple Test
• Amniocentesis
• Detailed Ultrasound Scan
• Cordocentesis
• Glucose Screening Test
• Indirect Coombs (IDC) Test

Tests during pregnancy may not always provide definitive results. An expectant mother should not succumb to unnecessary anxieties based on the results of tests for chromosomal abnormalities. It should be noted that these tests only determine probabilities.

To have a flawless prenatal period and childbirth, and to confidently address any problems you may encounter, it is essential to make some preparations. To ensure that everything you need and will need is at your fingertips, you first need to create a proper checklist. To make things easier, it’s beneficial to address your needs under two separate headings: one for the mother and one for the baby.

Note: A baby registry checklist awaits you at the end of our post!

Needs for the Mother

For the expectant mother to have a smooth pregnancy and a comfortable postpartum period for breastfeeding, it’s essential not to neglect personal care. At this point, you can consider both your personal habits and seek advice from experienced individuals around you. We have prepared a guide for you!

• Especially after childbirth, maternity pads, which can also be used as maternity underwear, are essential. Maternity pads will be very helpful to you after childbirth, especially since they can be torn from the sides and worn as underwear.
• A nursing bra makes breastfeeding easier for both mother and baby. It’s a more practical and comfortable choice during this process.
• Clothes should be chosen to fit the postpartum body structure. Maternity underwear, nursing bras, and nursing tops are some of them. Because the first condition for being physically healthy and comfortable is for the expectant mother to be at ease. For this, you should buy tops, dresses, nightgowns, pyjama sets, t-shirts, and sweatshirts made of fabric that doesn’t make you sweat, is cotton and flexible, and has a model that expands from below the chest and doesn’t compress the belly. To maintain your comfort during pregnancy and afterwards, you should also buy clothes such as adjustable and flexible skirts, leggings, tracksuits, and trousers.
• The comfort of your underwear is as important as your outerwear. From the 1st month of pregnancy, until you prepare your maternity bag and go to the hospital, you should buy enough knickers, tummy control knickers, maternity underwear, corset, dressing gown, nursing bra, nursing pad, and socks. While it’s important for these products to be made of natural materials like cotton and bamboo to prevent sweating, they should also be flexible for your comfort.
• To ensure smooth breastfeeding, the first thing you need is for your milk supply to be sufficient. Milk booster drinks are the products you need exactly. You should also have a breast pump and milk storage bags/containers to express and store the milk in suitable conditions. To continue breastfeeding your baby safely and comfortably, you should also have a bib for your baby, a nursing pillow and nipple cream for you.
• We shouldn’t forget the most basic materials needed for the expectant mother to feel good and happy about their personal care. These materials include crack prevention cream for you to easily return to your old form, maternity pads to protect you confidently, a life-saving mother-baby care bag for both long and short trips, a support cushion/pillow for sleep comfort, maternity sleep support pillow, maternity back support belt, and a safe journey with a maternity seatbelt.

Newborn Shopping List

The majority of the materials needed before birth are for your little one. The shopping list for a newborn includes the products you need to buy and have ready before your baby arrives and will need initially. To make shopping easier, it’s beneficial to categorise these products as nutrition, clothing and textiles, bath and care, baby room, vehicle and equipment products.

Baby Clothing

All textile products your baby wears or touches should be made from 100% natural materials such as cotton, bamboo, or linen. The fabric of the product should be flexible, and the model should be wide for your baby to move comfortably.

• 2-3 sets of 10-piece newborn sets 
• 6-8 jumpsuits with feet
• 6-8 inner bodysuits
• 6-8 sleeveless bodysuits
• 4-5 pairs of trousers with feet 
• 4-5 short-sleeved/long-sleeved bodysuits
• 5-6 pairs of socks
• 3-4 sets of 2-piece outfits
• Swaddling cloth
• Blanket
  

Feeding

• 2-3 baby bottles
• 2 bottle cleaning brushes
• 2 bottle straps
• 2-3 pacifiers
• 1 pacifier box/pacifier clip
• 10 burp cloths
• 4-5 bibs

Baby Bathtime & Cleaning 

You should be very careful when buying bath and care products for your baby’s needs list. The products you buy should be of high quality and contain natural ingredients. They should not contain harmful chemicals, heavy metals, or toxic substances.

• 2 packs of newborn nappies
• 3-4 packs of wipes
• Rash cream
• Changing mat
• Brush and comb set
• Newborn foam shampoo
• Towel
• Detergent and fabric softener

Nursery & Safety 

• Crib
• Bedding set
• 2-3 sets of sheets
• 2-3 plush blankets
• Mattress-duvet-pillow
• Sheet and mattress protector
• Changing mats
• Babyproofing essentials such as corner cushions and locks
• Clothes hangers
• Laundry basket

Baby Gear

The most important products for your and your baby’s comfort and safety are a car seat and a travel system baby stroller.

Don’t lose control while preparing your baby checklist!

Excited parents-to-be, eager to hold their little ones, can also experience this excitement and impatience when making their baby checklist. Sometimes, this can lead to unnecessary expenses for a product they will never use or an excessive number of products they will need. Therefore, when creating a baby registry checklist, it’s helpful to divide it into three parts: prenatal, 0-1 year, and after 1 year, according to different developmental characteristics and time frames.

If you’re pregnant and haven’t started preparing yet, our advice is to first meet your prenatal needs when creating a baby needs list.

To access your ultimate baby registry checklist: Baby Registry Checklist
From essential nursery items to adorable baby clothes, this checklist ensures you have everything you need to welcome your bundle of joy with confidence and peace of mind!

Get a general health check-up.

When deciding to have a baby, the first step is to undergo a comprehensive health check-up. In addition to a physical examination, a general health screening, including blood and urine tests, can help identify any potential health issues before getting pregnant. This allows for the early detection of any underlying problems that may arise during pregnancy, allowing you to take preventive measures against certain issues that may arise during such a critical period as pregnancy (such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid issues, iron deficiency, etc.). Starting treatment for any underlying conditions and allowing the body to recover before getting pregnant can help prevent health problems during pregnancy.

Have a gynaecological examination.

Just as important as a general health screening is for the mother-to-be to have a gynaecological examination before conception. Deciding to have a baby may not always result in pregnancy right away. Sometimes, couples may try for months without success. Often, reproductive system-related issues are among the reasons underlying this difficulty. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, which require long-term treatment and affect the mother-to-be, can make it difficult to conceive and may complicate ongoing pregnancies. Therefore, a gynaecological examination should not be skipped to ensure that the reproductive organs are functioning properly.

Stop hormonal contraception methods.

When you’re ready to have a child and your necessary health checks show no issues, it’s appropriate to discontinue your birth control method. However, some contraceptive methods may not lose their effectiveness immediately after being discontinued. Especially hormonal methods may retain their effects for some time after stopping the medication. Additionally, it may take some time for the body to regain its previous fertility. If pregnancy is planned, this should be taken into account when making decisions.

Review your dietary habits.

Everything you eat during pregnancy not only nourishes you but also feeds the baby growing inside you. Your baby gets all the nutrients it needs from you. Therefore, any incorrect eating habits should be corrected before conception. A healthy and balanced eating routine should be established.

Avoid excessive consumption of fatty, sugary, additive-containing, packaged, and canned foods, and make sure to consume fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, meat, and dairy products daily.

Quit smoking and alcohol consumption.

The use of harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs during pregnancy can adversely affect the baby’s development. Continued use of such harmful substances, especially in small amounts, during pregnancy can lead to various health problems for both pregnant women and their babies. Conditions such as low birth weight, developmental delay in babies, birth defects, premature birth, and even fetal death may occur. Therefore, these types of habits must be completely abandoned before pregnancy.

Start taking folic acid supplements.

During pregnancy, expectant mothers need to take certain vitamin supplements. Folic acid is the most important of these supplements. The first three months of pregnancy, when the basic foundations of the baby’s organs are laid, are a crucial time in this regard. However, folic acid supplementation should start at least 3 months before pregnancy. Neural tube defects, which directly affect the nervous system, are mainly caused by a deficiency of folic acid. To prevent this condition, expectant mothers should take a daily 400 mcg folic acid supplement starting before pregnancy.

Lose excess weight.

One of the answers to what to pay attention to before becoming pregnant is weight control. Starting pregnancy with excess weight can trigger systemic diseases, such as diabetes, change the shape of childbirth, and lead to delayed recovery after childbirth. If you are considering pregnancy, the ideal time to shape your lifestyle in this direction and start losing excess weight is before pregnancy. Otherwise, trying to lose weight during pregnancy can be risky for both the mother and the baby.

Avoid stress.

Stress plays a significant role not only in the development and progression of many diseases but also in trying to get pregnant. The stress factor is an effect that makes it difficult to conceive. If you are planning to have a baby, removing stress from your life will be beneficial.

Take vitamin supplements if necessary.

Even if your blood values are within normal limits before pregnancy, the need for vitamin and mineral supplementation during pregnancy will increase rapidly, so balanced and adequate nutrition alone may not be enough. Starting with a general multivitamin supplement before conception can help meet the needs of both the baby and the mother. This way, starting before pregnancy, the mother’s body will increase its resistance and strengthen its immunity.

Follow your vaccination schedule.

Some infections and contagious diseases caught during pregnancy pose a vital risk to the baby. The most basic way to protect against these diseases and infections is through vaccination. However, vaccination against diseases such as measles and chickenpox, which provide protection against contagious diseases and contain inactive viruses, especially during pregnancy, is not safe for the baby. Therefore, before planning pregnancy, necessary vaccinations against possible infections should be completed before becoming pregnant.

Be cautious about radiation and medication use.

When trying to conceive, one should be much more cautious about chemical substances in everyday life. Pregnant women should not be exposed to radiation and should not use prescription drugs due to the negative effects they may have on fetal development. Since it may not be possible to know the exact moment of conception, precautions should be taken, radiation should be avoided, and drugs that are not safe to use during pregnancy should not be used without consulting a doctor.

Please note that what needs to be considered before pregnancy generally varies from person to person. In addition to the listed suggestions, the expectant mother should strive to get regular and quality sleep and, if possible, engage in light exercise to make her muscles more resilient to pregnancy.